Recent research from a specialised telecoms research firm advised that  trends in the telecommunications sector, it was advised revenues collected from cellular service providers last year totalled $624 billion (£374 billion).

In addition to this number being up by 13 per cent on the previous year, it was noted that projected figures between now and the end of 2013 could see the value of this field reach $877 billion worldwide.

The research  added that the Asia Pacific region was leading the race to adopt mobile broadband and that early 3G adopters were particularly prevalent in countries including Australia, Japan and South Korea. The research conncluded that mobile services are on a growth path with mobile and wireless broadband but that voice service are not going away where they will keep its lion’s share of operator revenue for the foreseeable future, even as mobile operators diversify.

Last month, 3 Mobile announced it would introduce a new wireless broadband package that would be on sale in time for Christmas and would combine flexibility with affordability across two separate plans.

A monthly 5 GB option was unveiled priced with a £15 tariff when bought alongside a £69.99 wireless modem, while for £99.99, users get the same technology with a 3 GB data limit to be used over a three-month period and topped up after this has expired.

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A significant proportion (41%) of mobile broadband users say its their main broadband connection, according to Ofcom’s latest consumer research, which also found that take-up was most significant among the young and the affluent.

6% of adults have only mobile broadband and a further 8% have both a fixed-line broadband connection and a mobile broadband connection. Meanwhile 56% of UK homes have fixed-line broadband only.

Mobile broadband is most popular in the 15-34 age group: “These age groups also appear to be driving sole use of mobile broadband, with around one in 10 adults in this age group using only mobile broadband,” the report noted.

The Ofcom research also found that affluent demographic groups were driving mobile broadband adoption.

This is the first-time Ofcom has tracked the rise of mobile broadband in its annual Consumer Experience report and highlights the early adopters of this type of technology tend to be younger people.  Another intersting finding of the Ofcom research identifies that the cost of mobile broadband has come down massively in price since it was introduced, with there being a number of low-cost deals on the market in the £5 – £10 a month price range. 

Who knows where thigs are going but it looks like the take up of mobile broadband is another factor in the death of the landline and the migration of users to mobiles.

Here is a good example of some of the interesting articles we have pulled together on Broadband: How to choose a broadband provider….How to Switch Broadband Provider..What is mobile Broadband….Best Value Broadband Packages

The importance of your Postcode

Not all broadband packages are available throughout the UK.  Some Internet Service and  broadband providers install their own equipment in BT’s telephone exchanges to provide certain services – this is known as Local Loop Unbundling.  If you live in a city or urban area, your BT exchange is more likely to be unbundled, giving you a far greater choice of the latest services.  If your exchange isn’t unbundled, you may not be able to receive them or pay extra for them.

The availability of mobile broadband is even more dependant on your postcode.  Where if you live in a rural location  your mobile broadband coverage is likely to be much poorer than that of someone living in an urban location.

Broadband Speed

Most broadband is provided through a technology known as ADSL.  Virgin is the exception and delivers broadband services through its own fibre-optic network.  Most ADSL services have a quoted download speed of 8Mbit/s, although the fastest services offer up to 24Mbit/s, whil Virgin has a 50Mbit/s fibre-optic package.  The speed you’ll actually receive depends on a range of factors.  For ADSL broadband, this includes how far from your telephone exchange you live and how many other people in your area use the same service.

Data Cap

Most ISPs cap the amount of data you can download each month.  Some packages have a limit, such as 10GB.  If you want a higher limit,   you’ll have to pay more each month.  Some broadband and Internet companies have fair use policies instead of, or in addition to, a set limit.  These policies explain which kinds of heavy usage are acceptable, but their terms can be vague so check out their websites for details.

The consequences of exceeding your limit or fair use policy vary.  Some providers will charge you for exceeding the limit.  Others will cap your download speed at peak times until your usage drops.  Some will even ask you to move to a more expensive subscription package.  You need to choose a package with the mright download limit for your needs.

Even if your broadband brovider has a generous download allowance, your online activities may be subject to traffic management or traffic shaping.  This means that your broadband provider prioritises certain types of internet traffic, such as viewing web pages and sending emails.  The broadband provider is effectively trying to discourage excessive downloading, so look out for this in the terms and conditions.

Free Equipment

To use your broadband connection you’ll need the right equipment. Most ISPs provide a wireless router for sharing your broadband connection wirelessly between several computers.  Your computer will need a wireless networking adaptor – they’re widely available and almost all laptops made in the past few years will have one built in.

If you’re not satisfied with the range or speed of the router received from your broadband provider, you can buy one from an electrical shop such as Maplin.  Most free routers remain the property of your ISP, though, so hold on to it even if you buy a replacement. 

If you already own a wireless router, it may be incompatible with your new service.  ADSL services, especially at speeds of 20Mbit/s or faster, use an updated version of this technology called ADSL2+.  Many older routers won’t work with such connections or will make your service slow or unreliable.  If your broadband is provided over cable by Virgin, you’ll need a cable router rather than an ADSL model.

All mobile broadband providers use a USB 3G adaptor, or as it’s sometimes known as a dongle, for accessing their service.   The longer your contract, the less you’ll have to pay for it  – if at all.

So remember to check out which equipment your broadband company will be providing you with and how long your contract will be.

Customer Service

One of the most important features to look out for when selecting broadband providers has to be Customer Service.  So check out which provider offers the customer service package that suits you. Some broadband providers will 0ffer 24 hour customer service support, with UK Call Centre’s and others will only offer web based customer service support. So check out the customer service that is on offer as part of your package, as it is very important.

Here is a good example of some of the interesting articles we have pulled together on Broadband: How to choose a broadband provider….How to Switch Broadband Provider..What is mobile Broadband….Best Value Broadband Packages

New research has found that more than 4,000 British homes are connected to a  BT exchange without ADSL equipment providing broadband access.  A number of urban areas are as badly affected as rural locations.  Lengthy phone lines are providing a massive drain on connection speeds.  To achieve speeds of 2Mbit/sec or more, lines normally need to be less than 4km long.   A number of areas such as Basingstoke in Hampshire, half of the telephone lines are more than 6km from the exchange.

Ofcom found that 85% of broadband connections in the UK have speeds of 2Mbit/sec or greater.  BT stated that Britain is one of the most advanced countries in the world for broadbband connections, where over 99% of the population have access to broadbband.  However, it must be remembered that BT classes connections of 256Kbits/sec as broadband.  It is widely accepted within the telecoms sector that a broadbband connection is classified as at least 2Mbit/sec.

 In a recent announcement BT says it will continue to work with local authorities to address broadband issues and it hopes that quick fixes such as iPlate, which can improve connection speeds by reducing electrical interference will help improve these issues in the short term.

On the 17th of June Lord Carter announced that a 50p per month fee will be levied with everyone with a fixed line telephone connection.  The 50p fee was the big surprise of the Digital Britain report.  The money generated from the 50p per month fee is earmarked for the section of the country, where many homes are miles away from existing networks.

 Antony Walker, chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group, thinks that the money needs to be targeted at rural areas.  Hes believes that, the money should ensure that the 30% of the country estimated to be bypassed by comercial fast broadband plans can enjoy speed of up to 50Mb/sec by 2017. 

BT presently has plans to upgrade 40% of easy to reach British urban households to Fibre to the Cabinet technology or FTTC by 2012. 

Virgin Media is also upgrading its network so that it can deliver speeds of up to Mbp/sec to mainly urban and suburban areas.

Prime minister Gordon Brown has said that broadband is as essential as water, electricity and gas and pledged that the recommendations of the Digital Britain report will offer access to all families. He said the report would make the UK the broadband world leader.

Here is a good example of some of the interesting articles we have pulled together on Broadband: How to choose a broadband provider….How to Switch Broadband Provider..What is mobile Broadband….Best Value Broadband Packages

Why switch broadband provider?

There are a number of good reasons to switch your broadband provider, such as you can save anything up to £200 and maybe even get a better and faster broadband connection.

Switching Broadband provider is hassle free and does not cost you a penny.

Follow the steps below and switch to a better deal

Easy to Switch

Switching broadband providers will appeal to customers coming to the end of their broadband term.

Until recently, switching broadband provider could be difficult.  In February 2007, Ofcom introduced new rules to make to easier to switch your broadband provider.

A broadband provider must provider a MAC Code without charge.

MAC Codes or Migration Authorisation Codes (MAC) are provided by your existing broadbannd provider.  You need to ask your present broadband for your MAC code.  Once you have your MAC code you can then switch broadband provider by following the steps below.

It should take no longer than five days for your existing provider to supply you with a MAC code.

When you place an order with your new broadband provider and supply them with your MAC code, it should then take about a week to switch over.

Service Interruption

If you change provider using MAC codes, your broadband will be switched over with no interruption to the service.

If you are unable to use or obtain MAC codes, you will need to cancelyour existing broadband service before signing up to a new service.  This can be a lengthy process as a “marker” can exist on your phone line for up to two weeks after your old broadband service has stopped.  The “marker” will need to be clear before you can order broadband from your new provider. 

How to switch

Q. What of my broadbannd provider won’t supply a MMAC code?

A. Ofcom rules from February 2007, states that suppliers are required to provide these.  You can remind your provider of these obligations.  If you experience further problems contact Ofcom directly.

Q.  My provider wants to charge me a fee for providing my MAC code.   Can they do this?

A.  No.  Under Ofcom rules, provider are not allowed to charge a fee for MAC codes.

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Getting Broadband

Nearly every home and business in the UK has copper wire to the door in the form of a telephone line. To get broadband all that is required is the upgrading of the equipment at either end of this wire.

At the Exchange; The exchange has to be updated to accept the increase in data flow. This is referred to as being Broadband enabled. This process is phased to ensure that all the exchanges above the one to be updated are also updated.

In the home; You will need at least two pieces of kit.  A new modem and a microfilter. You should also check your computer is capable of taking full advantage of broadband. The most common way of connecting to broadband is by using existing telephone cables however, other connection paths are available such as cable, wireless and satellite.

Cable

This requires a special cable connection to be installed into your house. You may already have a cable connection to receive your television or telephone service. The service providers will help you to establish whether you live in an area which can receive a broadband cable service. You will also need a special cable modem.

Wireless

It is also possible to have a broadband connection using wireless technology. A receiver on the outside of the house sends the signals through to connection points inside. These in turn then send the data through to your computer. There are few wireless service providers in the UK at present and like ADSL and cable it is not possible to receive wireless broadband services in all areas.

Satellite

Satellite access is available anywhere in the UK so for some people in remote areas it will be the only option. It is however, expensive to install and you may need planning permission for your dish. The one-way service is comparable to cable or adsl in terms of monthly charges but uses a dial-up for when you need to content. There are two-way services available but these are expensive to install (around £800) and the monthly subscription costs are around £60.

ADSL

ADSL Broadband Operates over a normal telephone line, there is no need to buy an additional line It is straightforward to install, inexpensive to run and reliable to operates There are no call charges with broadband ADSL, just a regular on-going payment. Whether you’re: self-employed, working from home, still on dial up, a small firm or a medium-sized enterprise, Broadband ADSL allows:

• Fast, easy, immediate and ‘always on’ access to the internet with, no waiting for a modem connection
• Fast downloading of data The ability to send more data at much faster rates than dial up
• The ability to connect your offices together for data and file sharing
• Staff to access your company’s network when working from home

Here is a good example of some of the interesting articles we have pulled together on Broadband: How to choose a broadband provider….How to Switch Broadband Provider..What is mobile Broadband….Best Value Broadband Packages etc